Whisky of the Week review and tasting notes for blended whisky. A collection of all the interesting releases I have tried. From Scotland and all around the world including some of the most well known and loved brands.
When you hear the name Chivas Regal, it’s like stepping back in time to a bygone era of whisky, where it was served in dimly lit, dark wood and leather-clad libraries. For me, it evokes memories of my father, reclining with a “scotch” in hand, especially the Chivas Regal 12 year old blended Scotch whisky, his all-time favourite, some four decades ago.
Time for an affordable blended whisky again, the Label 5 blended Scotch whisky. My track record with affordable blended whisky this year has not been too good. Since the start of the year, I have tasted five different affordable blends, and I liked only one of them.
I am always looking for exciting whisky at a reasonable price. Call it the frugal Dutch side of me, but I don’t think expensive necessarily equals good. These last couple of years, I have managed to find great blends and single malt whiskies at affordable prices. Whiskies that you can buy 2 or 3 bottles of and not survive on dry bread for the rest of the month.
Many many years ago, a group of friends went for a holiday in Zimbabwe. We first stopped off in the rugged Eastern Highland for some trout fishing and then made our way up to Lake Kariba.
It is my first blend for 2017, the Firstwatch whisky. This year, I want to do something a bit different. It is great to try some of the more expensive blends available, and over the years, I have managed to taste quite a few exciting (and costly) blends.
This week I try another blend, one in a unique bottle, the Johnnie Walker Swing blended Scotch whisky. Johnnie Walker is owned by Diageo and originated in Kilmarnock, Scotland. It is the most widely distributed Scottish blended whisky brand in the world.